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Compare local authorities · Scotland and Scotland

Scottish Borders and Highland

117,190 and 237,570 residents (mid-2024).

Scottish Borders is higher than Highland on 11 of 22 measures per person in the age group, 13 of 22 per resident and 0 of 22 in total.

On 14 of 22 measures, which area is higher depends on whether you count per person or in total. Choose a way of counting below to see each one.

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Scottish Borders and Highland on a map of the local authorities of Great Britain
How to count
Prices

Money in 2026-27 prices, adjusted for inflation so that years can be compared2026-27 prices, using CPI inflation, adjusted for inflation so that years can be comparedcash terms, not adjusted for inflation.

Per person in the age group

Scottish Borders is higher on 11 of 22 measures, and Highland on 11. Each row has its own scale from zero. Money is in 2026-27 prices2026-27 prices, using CPI inflationcash terms, not adjusted for inflation.1-11

Scottish Borders Highland

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    All benefits, per resident: Scottish Borders £4,986, Highland £4,697Highland: £4,697Scottish Borders: £4,986Highland: £4,717Scottish Borders: £5,007Highland: £4,456Scottish Borders: £4,729

    £4,986£5,007£4,729Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£4,697£4,717£4,456

  2. Pensioner benefitsper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, per person aged 66 and over: Scottish Borders £12,258, Highland £12,409Highland: £12,409Scottish Borders: £12,258Highland: £12,462Scottish Borders: £12,310Highland: £11,771Scottish Borders: £11,627

    £12,258£12,310£11,627Highland is higherDepends on how you count£12,409£12,462£11,771

  3. Working-age benefitsper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, per person aged 16 to 64: Scottish Borders £1,832, Highland £1,725Highland: £1,725Scottish Borders: £1,832Highland: £1,732Scottish Borders: £1,840Highland: £1,636Scottish Borders: £1,738

    £1,832£1,840£1,738Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£1,725£1,732£1,636

  4. State Pensionper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    State Pension, per person aged 66 and over: Scottish Borders £11,419, Highland £11,412Highland: £11,412Scottish Borders: £11,419Highland: £11,461Scottish Borders: £11,467Highland: £10,825Scottish Borders: £10,831

    £11,419£11,467£10,831Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£11,412£11,461£10,825

  5. Pension Creditper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, per person aged 66 and over: Scottish Borders £294, Highland £356Highland: £356Scottish Borders: £294Highland: £358Scottish Borders: £295Highland: £338Scottish Borders: £279

    £294£295£279Highland is higher£356£358£338

  6. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per person aged 66 and over: Scottish Borders £529, Highland £621Highland: £621Scottish Borders: £529Highland: £624Scottish Borders: £531Highland: £589Scottish Borders: £501

    £529£531£501Highland is higher£621£624£589

  7. Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, per person aged 66 and over: Scottish Borders £16, Highland £19Highland: £19Scottish Borders: £16Highland: £20Scottish Borders: £16Highland: £18Scottish Borders: £15

    £16£16£15Highland is higher£19£20£18

  8. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per resident: Scottish Borders £449, Highland £495Highland: £495Scottish Borders: £449Highland: £497Scottish Borders: £451Highland: £470Scottish Borders: £426

    £449£451£426Highland is higher£495£497£470

  9. Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, per resident: Scottish Borders £121, Highland £141Highland: £141Scottish Borders: £121Highland: £142Scottish Borders: £122Highland: £134Scottish Borders: £115

    £121£122£115Highland is higher£141£142£134

  10. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per person aged 16 to 64: Scottish Borders £98, Highland £101Highland: £101Scottish Borders: £98Highland: £101Scottish Borders: £99Highland: £96Scottish Borders: £93

    £98£99£93Highland is higher£101£101£96

  11. Universal Creditper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, per person aged 16 to 64: Scottish Borders £1,354, Highland £1,294Highland: £1,294Scottish Borders: £1,354Highland: £1,300Scottish Borders: £1,359Highland: £1,228Scottish Borders: £1,284

    £1,354£1,359£1,284Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£1,294£1,300£1,228

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, per resident: Scottish Borders £192, Highland £147Highland: £147Scottish Borders: £192Highland: £148Scottish Borders: £192Highland: £139Scottish Borders: £182

    £192£192£182Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£147£148£139

  13. Employment and Support Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, per person aged 16 to 64: Scottish Borders £368, Highland £320Highland: £320Scottish Borders: £368Highland: £322Scottish Borders: £369Highland: £304Scottish Borders: £349

    £368£369£349Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£320£322£304

  14. Jobseeker's Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, per person aged 16 to 64: Scottish Borders £6.40, Highland £3.50Highland: £3.50Scottish Borders: £6.40Highland: £3.52Scottish Borders: £6.43Highland: £3.32Scottish Borders: £6.07

    £6.40£6.43£6.07Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£3.50£3.52£3.32

  15. Income Supportper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Income Support, per person aged 16 to 64: Scottish Borders £5.74, Highland £5.55Highland: £5.55Scottish Borders: £5.74Highland: £5.57Scottish Borders: £5.76Highland: £5.26Scottish Borders: £5.44

    £5.74£5.76£5.44Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£5.55£5.57£5.26

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Other benefits, per resident: Scottish Borders £7.17, Highland £7.73Highland: £7.73Scottish Borders: £7.17Highland: £7.76Scottish Borders: £7.20Highland: £7.33Scottish Borders: £6.80

    £7.17£7.20£6.80Highland is higher£7.73£7.76£7.33

  17. State Pensionper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026

    State Pension, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Scottish Borders 1,006.0, Highland 1,002.6Highland: 1,002.6Scottish Borders: 1,006.0

    1,006.0Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count1,002.6

  18. Pension Creditper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026

    Pension Credit, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Scottish Borders 82.4, Highland 91.3Highland: 91.3Scottish Borders: 82.4

    82.4Highland is higherDepends on how you count91.3

  19. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Scottish Borders 134.0, Highland 137.8Highland: 137.8Scottish Borders: 134.0

    134.0Highland is higherDepends on how you count137.8

  20. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 2026

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Scottish Borders 71.6, Highland 77.4Highland: 77.4Scottish Borders: 71.6

    71.6Highland is higher77.4

  21. Universal Creditper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, May 2026

    Universal Credit, per 1,000 people aged 16 to 64: Scottish Borders 178.6, Highland 162.8Highland: 162.8Scottish Borders: 178.6

    178.6Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count162.8

  22. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, March 2026

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per 1,000 people aged 16 to 64: Scottish Borders 23.5, Highland 22.5Highland: 22.5Scottish Borders: 23.5

    23.5Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count22.5

Show the numbers
Scottish Borders and Highland, per person in the age group
MeasureScottish BordersHighlandHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£4,986£5,007£4,729Estimated£4,697£4,717£4,456EstimatedScottish Borders
Pensioner benefitsper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£12,258£12,310£11,627Estimated£12,409£12,462£11,771EstimatedHighland
Working-age benefitsper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£1,832£1,840£1,738Estimated£1,725£1,732£1,636EstimatedScottish Borders
State Pensionper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£11,419£11,467£10,831£11,412£11,461£10,825Scottish Borders
Pension Creditper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£294£295£279£356£358£338Highland
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£529£531£501Estimated£621£624£589EstimatedHighland
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£16£16£15Estimated£19£20£18EstimatedHighland
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£449£451£426Estimated£495£497£470EstimatedHighland
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£121£122£115Estimated£141£142£134EstimatedHighland
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£98£99£93Estimated£101£101£96EstimatedHighland
Universal Creditper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£1,354£1,359£1,284£1,294£1,300£1,228Scottish Borders
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£192£192£182£147£148£139Scottish Borders
Employment and Support Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£368£369£349£320£322£304Scottish Borders
Jobseeker's Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£6.40£6.43£6.07£3.50£3.52£3.32Scottish Borders
Income Supportper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£5.74£5.76£5.44£5.55£5.57£5.26Scottish Borders
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£7.17£7.20£6.80Estimated£7.73£7.76£7.33EstimatedHighland
State Pensionper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 20261,006.01,002.6Scottish Borders
Pension Creditper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 202682.491.3Highland
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026134.0137.8Highland
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202671.677.4Highland
Universal Creditper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, May 2026178.6162.8Scottish Borders
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, March 202623.5Estimated22.5EstimatedScottish Borders

Per resident

Scottish Borders is higher on 13 of 22 measures, and Highland on 9. Each row has its own scale from zero. Money is in 2026-27 prices2026-27 prices, using CPI inflationcash terms, not adjusted for inflation.1-11

Scottish Borders Highland

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    All benefits, per resident: Scottish Borders £4,986, Highland £4,697Highland: £4,697Scottish Borders: £4,986Highland: £4,717Scottish Borders: £5,007Highland: £4,456Scottish Borders: £4,729

    £4,986£5,007£4,729Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£4,697£4,717£4,456

  2. Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, per resident: Scottish Borders £3,165, Highland £2,872Highland: £2,872Scottish Borders: £3,165Highland: £2,885Scottish Borders: £3,178Highland: £2,725Scottish Borders: £3,002

    £3,165£3,178£3,002Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£2,872£2,885£2,725

  3. Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, per resident: Scottish Borders £1,052, Highland £1,034Highland: £1,034Scottish Borders: £1,052Highland: £1,038Scottish Borders: £1,056Highland: £981Scottish Borders: £998

    £1,052£1,056£998Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£1,034£1,038£981

  4. State Pensionper resident, 2024-25

    State Pension, per resident: Scottish Borders £2,948, Highland £2,642Highland: £2,642Scottish Borders: £2,948Highland: £2,653Scottish Borders: £2,961Highland: £2,506Scottish Borders: £2,797

    £2,948£2,961£2,797Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£2,642£2,653£2,506

  5. Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, per resident: Scottish Borders £76, Highland £83Highland: £83Scottish Borders: £76Highland: £83Scottish Borders: £76Highland: £78Scottish Borders: £72

    £76£76£72Highland is higher£83£83£78

  6. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per resident: Scottish Borders £137, Highland £144Highland: £144Scottish Borders: £137Highland: £144Scottish Borders: £137Highland: £136Scottish Borders: £129

    £137£137£129Highland is higher£144£144£136

  7. Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, per resident: Scottish Borders £4.15, Highland £4.51Highland: £4.51Scottish Borders: £4.15Highland: £4.53Scottish Borders: £4.17Highland: £4.28Scottish Borders: £3.94

    £4.15£4.17£3.94Highland is higher£4.51£4.53£4.28

  8. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per resident: Scottish Borders £449, Highland £495Highland: £495Scottish Borders: £449Highland: £497Scottish Borders: £451Highland: £470Scottish Borders: £426

    £449£451£426Highland is higher£495£497£470

  9. Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, per resident: Scottish Borders £121, Highland £141Highland: £141Scottish Borders: £121Highland: £142Scottish Borders: £122Highland: £134Scottish Borders: £115

    £121£122£115Highland is higher£141£142£134

  10. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per resident: Scottish Borders £56, Highland £60Highland: £60Scottish Borders: £56Highland: £61Scottish Borders: £57Highland: £57Scottish Borders: £53

    £56£57£53Highland is higher£60£61£57

  11. Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, per resident: Scottish Borders £777, Highland £776Highland: £776Scottish Borders: £777Highland: £779Scottish Borders: £780Highland: £736Scottish Borders: £737

    £777£780£737Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£776£779£736

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, per resident: Scottish Borders £192, Highland £147Highland: £147Scottish Borders: £192Highland: £148Scottish Borders: £192Highland: £139Scottish Borders: £182

    £192£192£182Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£147£148£139

  13. Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, per resident: Scottish Borders £211, Highland £192Highland: £192Scottish Borders: £211Highland: £193Scottish Borders: £212Highland: £182Scottish Borders: £200

    £211£212£200Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£192£193£182

  14. Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, per resident: Scottish Borders £3.68, Highland £2.10Highland: £2.10Scottish Borders: £3.68Highland: £2.11Scottish Borders: £3.69Highland: £1.99Scottish Borders: £3.49

    £3.68£3.69£3.49Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count£2.10£2.11£1.99

  15. Income Supportper resident, 2024-25

    Income Support, per resident: Scottish Borders £3.29, Highland £3.32Highland: £3.32Scottish Borders: £3.29Highland: £3.34Scottish Borders: £3.30Highland: £3.15Scottish Borders: £3.12

    £3.29£3.30£3.12Highland is higherDepends on how you count£3.32£3.34£3.15

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Other benefits, per resident: Scottish Borders £7.17, Highland £7.73Highland: £7.73Scottish Borders: £7.17Highland: £7.76Scottish Borders: £7.20Highland: £7.33Scottish Borders: £6.80

    £7.17£7.20£6.80Highland is higher£7.73£7.76£7.33

  17. State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    State Pension, per 1,000 residents: Scottish Borders 259.7, Highland 232.1Highland: 232.1Scottish Borders: 259.7

    259.7Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count232.1

  18. Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    Pension Credit, per 1,000 residents: Scottish Borders 21.3, Highland 21.1Highland: 21.1Scottish Borders: 21.3

    21.3Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count21.1

  19. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Scottish Borders 34.6, Highland 31.9Highland: 31.9Scottish Borders: 34.6

    34.6Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count31.9

  20. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 2026

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Scottish Borders 71.6, Highland 77.4Highland: 77.4Scottish Borders: 71.6

    71.6Highland is higher77.4

  21. Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 2026

    Universal Credit, per 1,000 residents: Scottish Borders 102.5, Highland 97.6Highland: 97.6Scottish Borders: 102.5

    102.5Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count97.6

  22. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per 1,000 residents: Scottish Borders 13.5, Highland 13.5Highland: 13.5Scottish Borders: 13.5

    13.5Scottish Borders is higherDepends on how you count13.5

Show the numbers
Scottish Borders and Highland, per resident
MeasureScottish BordersHighlandHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£4,986£5,007£4,729Estimated£4,697£4,717£4,456EstimatedScottish Borders
Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25£3,165£3,178£3,002Estimated£2,872£2,885£2,725EstimatedScottish Borders
Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25£1,052£1,056£998Estimated£1,034£1,038£981EstimatedScottish Borders
State Pensionper resident, 2024-25£2,948£2,961£2,797£2,642£2,653£2,506Scottish Borders
Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25£76£76£72£83£83£78Highland
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£137£137£129Estimated£144£144£136EstimatedHighland
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper resident, 2024-25£4.15£4.17£3.94Estimated£4.51£4.53£4.28EstimatedHighland
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£449£451£426Estimated£495£497£470EstimatedHighland
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£121£122£115Estimated£141£142£134EstimatedHighland
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper resident, 2024-25£56£57£53Estimated£60£61£57EstimatedHighland
Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25£777£780£737£776£779£736Scottish Borders
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£192£192£182£147£148£139Scottish Borders
Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£211£212£200£192£193£182Scottish Borders
Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£3.68£3.69£3.49£2.10£2.11£1.99Scottish Borders
Income Supportper resident, 2024-25£3.29£3.30£3.12£3.32£3.34£3.15Highland
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£7.17£7.20£6.80Estimated£7.73£7.76£7.33EstimatedHighland
State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026259.7232.1Scottish Borders
Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 202621.321.1Scottish Borders
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202634.631.9Scottish Borders
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202671.677.4Highland
Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 2026102.597.6Scottish Borders
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202613.5Estimated13.5EstimatedScottish Borders

Total

Scottish Borders is higher on 0 of 22 measures, and Highland on 22. Each row has its own scale from zero. Money is in 2026-27 prices2026-27 prices, using CPI inflationcash terms, not adjusted for inflation.1-11

Scottish Borders Highland

  1. All benefitstotal, 2024-25

    All benefits, total: Scottish Borders £584.3m, Highland £1.1bnHighland: £1.1bnScottish Borders: £584.3mHighland: £1.1bnScottish Borders: £586.8mHighland: £1.1bnScottish Borders: £554.2m

    £584.3m£586.8m£554.2mHighland is higherDepends on how you count£1.1bn

  2. Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, total: Scottish Borders £370.9m, Highland £682.4mHighland: £682.4mScottish Borders: £370.9mHighland: £685.3mScottish Borders: £372.5mHighland: £647.3mScottish Borders: £351.8m

    £370.9m£372.5m£351.8mHighland is higherDepends on how you count£682.4m£685.3m£647.3m

  3. Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, total: Scottish Borders £123.2m, Highland £245.6mHighland: £245.6mScottish Borders: £123.2mHighland: £246.6mScottish Borders: £123.8mHighland: £232.9mScottish Borders: £116.9m

    £123.2m£123.8m£116.9mHighland is higherDepends on how you count£245.6m£246.6m£232.9m

  4. State Pensiontotal, 2024-25

    State Pension, total: Scottish Borders £345.5m, Highland £627.6mHighland: £627.6mScottish Borders: £345.5mHighland: £630.2mScottish Borders: £347.0mHighland: £595.3mScottish Borders: £327.7m

    £345.5m£347.0m£327.7mHighland is higherDepends on how you count£627.6m£630.2m£595.3m

  5. Pension Credittotal, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, total: Scottish Borders £8.9m, Highland £19.6mHighland: £19.6mScottish Borders: £8.9mHighland: £19.7mScottish Borders: £8.9mHighland: £18.6mScottish Borders: £8.4m

    £8.9m£8.9m£8.4mHighland is higher£19.6m£19.7m£18.6m

  6. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, total: Scottish Borders £16.0m, Highland £34.2mHighland: £34.2mScottish Borders: £16.0mHighland: £34.3mScottish Borders: £16.1mHighland: £32.4mScottish Borders: £15.2m

    £16.0m£16.1m£15.2mHighland is higher£34.2m£34.3m£32.4m

  7. Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, total: Scottish Borders £0.49m, Highland £1.1mHighland: £1.1mScottish Borders: £0.49mHighland: £1.1mScottish Borders: £0.49mHighland: £1.0mScottish Borders: £0.46m

    £0.49m£0.49m£0.46mHighland is higher£1.1m£1.1m£1.0m

  8. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, total: Scottish Borders £52.6m, Highland £117.7mHighland: £117.7mScottish Borders: £52.6mHighland: £118.2mScottish Borders: £52.9mHighland: £111.6mScottish Borders: £49.9m

    £52.6m£52.9m£49.9mHighland is higher£117.7m£118.2m£111.6m

  9. Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, total: Scottish Borders £14.2m, Highland £33.5mHighland: £33.5mScottish Borders: £14.2mHighland: £33.7mScottish Borders: £14.3mHighland: £31.8mScottish Borders: £13.5m

    £14.2m£14.3m£13.5mHighland is higher£33.5m£33.7m£31.8m

  10. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, total: Scottish Borders £6.6m, Highland £14.4mHighland: £14.4mScottish Borders: £6.6mHighland: £14.4mScottish Borders: £6.6mHighland: £13.6mScottish Borders: £6.3m

    £6.6m£6.6m£6.3mHighland is higher£14.4m£14.4m£13.6m

  11. Universal Credittotal, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, total: Scottish Borders £91.1m, Highland £184.3mHighland: £184.3mScottish Borders: £91.1mHighland: £185.1mScottish Borders: £91.5mHighland: £174.8mScottish Borders: £86.4m

    £91.1m£91.5m£86.4mHighland is higherDepends on how you count£184.3m£185.1m£174.8m

  12. Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, total: Scottish Borders £22.5m, Highland £34.9mHighland: £34.9mScottish Borders: £22.5mHighland: £35.0mScottish Borders: £22.6mHighland: £33.1mScottish Borders: £21.3m

    £22.5m£22.6m£21.3mHighland is higherDepends on how you count£34.9m£35.0m£33.1m

  13. Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, total: Scottish Borders £24.8m, Highland £45.6mHighland: £45.6mScottish Borders: £24.8mHighland: £45.8mScottish Borders: £24.9mHighland: £43.3mScottish Borders: £23.5m

    £24.8m£24.9m£23.5mHighland is higherDepends on how you count£45.6m£45.8m£43.3m

  14. Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, total: Scottish Borders £0.43m, Highland £0.50mHighland: £0.50mScottish Borders: £0.43mHighland: £0.50mScottish Borders: £0.43mHighland: £0.47mScottish Borders: £0.41m

    £0.43m£0.43m£0.41mHighland is higherDepends on how you count£0.50m£0.50m£0.47m

  15. Income Supporttotal, 2024-25

    Income Support, total: Scottish Borders £0.39m, Highland £0.79mHighland: £0.79mScottish Borders: £0.39mHighland: £0.79mScottish Borders: £0.39mHighland: £0.75mScottish Borders: £0.37m

    £0.39m£0.39m£0.37mHighland is higherDepends on how you count£0.79m£0.79m£0.75m

  16. Other benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Other benefits, total: Scottish Borders £0.84m, Highland £1.8mHighland: £1.8mScottish Borders: £0.84mHighland: £1.8mScottish Borders: £0.84mHighland: £1.7mScottish Borders: £0.80m

    £0.84m£0.84m£0.80mHighland is higher£1.8m£1.8m£1.7m

  17. State Pensiontotal, March 2026

    State Pension, total: Scottish Borders 30,439, Highland 55,132Highland: 55,132Scottish Borders: 30,439

    30,439Highland is higherDepends on how you count55,132

  18. Pension Credittotal, March 2026

    Pension Credit, total: Scottish Borders 2,493, Highland 5,020Highland: 5,020Scottish Borders: 2,493

    2,493Highland is higherDepends on how you count5,020

  19. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, March 2026

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, total: Scottish Borders 4,055, Highland 7,575Highland: 7,575Scottish Borders: 4,055

    4,055Highland is higherDepends on how you count7,575

  20. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, July 2026

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, total: Scottish Borders 8,385, Highland 18,395Highland: 18,395Scottish Borders: 8,385

    8,385Highland is higher18,395

  21. Universal Credittotal, May 2026

    Universal Credit, total: Scottish Borders 12,015, Highland 23,186Highland: 23,186Scottish Borders: 12,015

    12,015Highland is higherDepends on how you count23,186

  22. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, March 2026

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, total: Scottish Borders 1,583, Highland 3,202Highland: 3,202Scottish Borders: 1,583

    1,583Highland is higherDepends on how you count3,202

Show the numbers
Scottish Borders and Highland, total
MeasureScottish BordersHighlandHigher
All benefitstotal, 2024-25£584.3m£586.8m£554.2mEstimated£1.1bnEstimatedHighland
Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25£370.9m£372.5m£351.8mEstimated£682.4m£685.3m£647.3mEstimatedHighland
Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25£123.2m£123.8m£116.9mEstimated£245.6m£246.6m£232.9mEstimatedHighland
State Pensiontotal, 2024-25£345.5m£347.0m£327.7m£627.6m£630.2m£595.3mHighland
Pension Credittotal, 2024-25£8.9m£8.9m£8.4m£19.6m£19.7m£18.6mHighland
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£16.0m£16.1m£15.2mEstimated£34.2m£34.3m£32.4mEstimatedHighland
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymenttotal, 2024-25£0.49m£0.49m£0.46mEstimated£1.1m£1.1m£1.0mEstimatedHighland
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£52.6m£52.9m£49.9mEstimated£117.7m£118.2m£111.6mEstimatedHighland
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£14.2m£14.3m£13.5mEstimated£33.5m£33.7m£31.8mEstimatedHighland
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, 2024-25£6.6m£6.6m£6.3mEstimated£14.4m£14.4m£13.6mEstimatedHighland
Universal Credittotal, 2024-25£91.1m£91.5m£86.4m£184.3m£185.1m£174.8mHighland
Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25£22.5m£22.6m£21.3m£34.9m£35.0m£33.1mHighland
Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25£24.8m£24.9m£23.5m£45.6m£45.8m£43.3mHighland
Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25£0.43m£0.43m£0.41m£0.50m£0.50m£0.47mHighland
Income Supporttotal, 2024-25£0.39m£0.39m£0.37m£0.79m£0.79m£0.75mHighland
Other benefitstotal, 2024-25£0.84m£0.84m£0.80mEstimated£1.8m£1.8m£1.7mEstimatedHighland
State Pensiontotal, March 202630,43955,132Highland
Pension Credittotal, March 20262,4935,020Highland
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, March 20264,0557,575Highland
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, July 20268,38518,395Highland
Universal Credittotal, May 202612,01523,186Highland
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, March 20261,583Estimated3,202EstimatedHighland

Sources

Each area's page lists the limits of its figures and where each one comes from.

  1. 1Department for Work and Pensions. Benefit expenditure by local authority, 2024-25. Published 15 December 2025. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  2. 2Department for Work and Pensions. Benefit expenditure by parliamentary constituency, 2024-25. Published 15 December 2025. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  3. 3Department for Work and Pensions. Stat-Xplore benefit caseloads and awards. Published 6 October 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  4. 4Social Security Scotland. Adult Disability Payment statistics to 31 July 2026. Published 14 September 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  5. 5Social Security Scotland. Child Disability Payment statistics to 30 June 2026. Published 17 August 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  6. 6Social Security Scotland. Pension Age Disability Payment statistics to 31 July 2026. Published 14 September 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  7. 7Social Security Scotland. Carer Support Payment statistics to 30 June 2026. Published 10 August 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  8. 8Social Security Scotland. Winter heating benefits statistics for winter 2025/26. Published 18 May 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  9. 9Office for National Statistics. Population estimates by local authority (Nomis NM_2002_1). Published 5 October 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  10. 10Office for National Statistics. Population estimates by 2024 parliamentary constituency (Nomis NM_2014_1). Published 5 October 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  11. 11National Records of Scotland. Population estimates for other geographies, mid-2011 to mid-2024. Published 31 August 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.